Short-Term Spiritual Guidance

by Bidwell, Duane R.

• ISBN13: 9780800636586
• ISBN10: 0800636589
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-02-01
• Publisher: Fortress Pr

Summary

Bidwell's book represents a significant departure from most contemporary writing about spiritual direction. While most writers focus on long-term relationships of guidance, and specifically envision long listening sessions, Bidwell changes focus. Spiritual direction, he insists, typically requires intervention in a specific crisis or situation or question, is not formal, lasts fewer than five sessions, and must be actively and intentionally focused on the person's growth. Bidwell's work shows what spiritual directors can learn from the short-term therapy model, especially about enabling people briefly but effectively to "learn to listen on their own and with others for God's presence." Focusing on how God is already active in the directed's life allows the participants to identify God's action and respond in ways that collaborate with that identified movement of the Spirit. The chapters include introduction to the foundations of spiritual direction as well as to specific direction techniques; they also address such topics as discernment, direction for couples a

Author Biography

Duane R. Bidwell is Director of the Pastoral Care and Training Center, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, and pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport, Texas.

Table of Contents

Editor's Foreword	ix
Preface	xi
1. The Ministry of Spiritual Direction	1	(12)
2. Knowing Unknowing	13	(13)
3. Guidance from Brief Pastoral Counseling	26	(12)
4. The First Session	38	(14)
5. Taking Action: Techniques from Brief Pastoral Counseling	52	(17)
6. Contemplative Action: Interventions from the Spiritual Traditions	69	(15)
7. The Art of Discernment in Brief Spiritual Direction	84	(11)
8. Spiritual Guidance with Couples and Families	95	(12)
9. Discovering Your Purpose: Exploring Vocation in Short-Term Group Spiritual Direction	107	(8)
Notes	115	(6)
Annotated Bibliography	121	(3)
Bibliography of Web Resources	124	(3)
Index	127